Simple ways to identify adulterated mawa

Holi 2026: The festival of Holi is incomplete without sweets, especially Gujiya made of Mawa, Malpua and Peda. But, due to adulteration, many times fake or adulterated mawa is available in the market, which can be harmful to health. Recently a similar case has come to light in Kanpur.

Big action on food safety in Kanpur

Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) took an important action in Kanpur near Holi. During a raid at Panki railway station on Wednesday, about 9 quintals of adulterated mawa, worth about Rs 3.42 lakh, was seized from the Etawah-Kanpur passenger train. This mawa was wrapped in dirty clothes and was in extremely unhygienic condition.

With no owner coming forward, it was immediately destroyed in a garbage disposal plant. Along with this, adulterated edible oil was also seized, the total value of which was approximately Rs 29.8 lakh. This action was taken on the instructions of the District Magistrate so that people can get safe food during festivals.

How to identify adulteration in Mawa?

According to experts, things like starch, vegetable fat, chalk powder and blotting paper are added to make fake mawa. Starch adds volume, chalk powder brightens the color, and vegetable fat changes the texture. Therefore, it is necessary to check the purity of mawa at home.

5 simple ways to check the purity of Mawa at home:

1. Iodine Test (Starch Test)

According to FSSAI, take one spoon of mawa and add it to hot water. Add some iodine to it. If the mixture turns blue, starch has been added to the mawa. If blue color does not appear, then the mawa is pure.

2. Sulfuric Acid Test (Test of Chemicals)

Take a small piece of mawa and add some concentrated sulfuric acid to it. If purple color is formed, the mawa may contain harmful chemicals like formalin.

3. Hand rubbing test (freshness and texture)

While buying, rub some mawa on your hands. Pure mawa is oily and grainy, leaves a greasy feeling on the hands and has a slight sweetness. If this does not happen, adulteration is suspected.

4. Hydrochloric Acid and Sugar Test (Vegetative Test)

Mix 2 tbsp hydrochloric acid and 1 tbsp sugar in mawa. If the mixture turns red, vanaspati (vanaspati ghee) has been added.

5. Testing by heating with sugar

Heat the mawa in a pan and add 1 tablespoon sugar. If water starts separating when the sugar melts, then the mawa is adulterated.

With these simple methods you can check Mawa at home. Always buy from a reliable shop and take care of your health during festivals. Make Holi sweets from safe mawa and feed it to everyone.